WELCOME

Take a look at the wonderful work our young people, partners and volunteers have been busy with.

Inspirational 'World of Work Day' at Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy

Students at The Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy had the privilege to spend the day learning skills that will prepare them for the world of work. All pupils in year 10 had the opportunity to hear from successful alumni of the school to inspire them to begin their own journey to success.A forum theatre production, delivered by two local professional actors, entertained and educated the students around how to succeed in an interview. The students intervened in an interview scenario which was going badly to help the struggling candidate, with their suggestions improving the interview. This was in preparation for the students own mock interview in the afternoon.The mock interviews were supported by 15 local employers who volunteered their time to give the students their own individual interview. Students utilised the knowledge they had gained through the forum theatre production to impress the employers.Feedback from employers:

Introduction to an interview

Students well informed and motivated.

Excellent, all very receptive to being asked questions and given feedback

Well prepared and really engaged.

New Mills 'Futures Week' ends with professional mock interviews

Student receiving their first experience of an interview

Year 10's at New Mills experienced an inspiring week including a motivational speaker, visits to local employers, sessions to help improve knowledge of employability, with the week culminating in mock interviews delivered by volunteers from local business. The week kicked off with an inspiring talk from Danny Sculthorpe, arranged by Raising Aspirations. College, university and an employer visits followed, a school careers fair along with a fun and informative talk from Ellen Messias at Work Pays (on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service), advising the students on all things apprenticeships. This was perfectly pitched for the students to gain an in-depth understanding on this route into work.The last day of the week saw the students take part in interactive sessions with the Raising Aspirations Employability Worker and Programmes Coordinator, preparing them for their mock interviews in the afternoon.A total of 16 employers visited the school, equipped with all the resources they needed to give the students their first experience of an interview, and they loved it!Feedback from students:

I got great feedback from him (the interviewer), I want to do it again!

I feel more prepared for my next real interview now

I’m actually really glad I did it

Students at The Pingle School excited by new knowledge of apprenticeships

30 young people in Year 9 at The Pingle School, Swadlincote attended a four session programme delivered as part of the Raising Aspirations project, aimed at increasing their knowledge of the world of work, including and why education is an important step towards this. They learned about apprenticeships, how to find one, how to apply, the qualifications you can achieve and the different levels of apprenticeships.

The young people were then given the chance to hear the experiences of three current apprentices from MUSK engineering. The apprentices spoke of their personal journeys into their apprenticeships and gave a realistic view of what has been required of them to find and maintain an apprenticeship. The young people were able to ask any questions they had. The group also heard from a Director of MUSK who explained to them the expectations of an employer when entering the world of work.

The group were given detailed information on jobs and apprenticeships that are currently available in the local area, learning how these link to educational qualifications. The young people learned about wages, working days, what it takes to get a job, expectations at work and details of local labour market information and regulations within work places. This was all to give them accurate view of the differences and similarities between school and work life.

Feedback from students:

It was good, I enjoyed it

Helped me understand a lot about jobs

You helped me, It was really interesting

Award winning Derbyshire explorers attend Royal reception

Young explorer's and expedition leaders attended a prestigious ceremony held in London hosted by British Exploring Society.The five young explorers met with HRH The Duke of York and two were given the opportunity to speak one to one with HRH The Duke of York about their personal journey's explaining how being involved in Namibia 2016 has helped them develop skills applicable in their everyday lives.

Three of the young explorers spoke in front of the 150 attendees, showcasing the skills they developed both before and during the expedition, and how they are using these skills on a daily basis.

Click on photo for more details

Ciara backstage on Take Me Out

TV producer Wows at Glossopdale

Year 11 pupils at Glossopdale Community College were treated to a talk delivered by Ciara Emmott, a TV producer based in London. Ciara shared her experiences within the television industry and entertained the students with stories of working on well known programmes including Take Me Out, Britain's Got Talent and X Factor, and with some national stars. Ciara, educated in Derbyshire, detailed her own education path and how this has led to her achieving this exciting job.Ciara gave a comprehensive overview of the job's available in the television industry, highlighting the huge range of skills needed within this sector. Ciara also made the Year aware of the realties of working in this industry including long days and having to begin your career as chief tea maker!

Motivational Fun at Frederick Gent

Comedian Ali Khan from Big Comedy Shop gave Year 9’s at Frederick Gent School a hysterical yet powerful motivational speech. Ali utilised her comedy skills to highlight to young people the importance of making positive choices both in school and within all aspects of their lives. Ali had pupils in stitches with her talk whilst delivering an important message to the year around choices they may face in life and the potential impact these can have throughout their lives. Ali gave the message that having a Positive Mental Attitude is key to making positive live choices.

A talk on the Emergency Care Service

Tamzin Ryan from the East Midlands Ambulance Service came into Frederick Gent school to talk to students interested in a similar career about her job as an Emergency Care Giver and some of the other roles available in the service. Students got an idea of the qualifications needed and also what the job was like day to day.

GET MOTIVATED!

Steve Judge with Heritage High Head Boy and Head Girl

Motivational speaker Steve Judge delivered his rousing talk to pupils in years 10 and 11 at Heritage High. Steve spoke about having dreams, how to turn the dreams into goals and how to set about achieving the goals. Steve delivered this message through presenting his own personal journey of adversity and what he has learnt from this, giving students an insight into the determination needed to achieve your goals. Steve will be continuing to build on this message with small groups from both years supporting them to set their own goals to achieve their dreams - with the aim for the groups to deliver their own speech to a group of peers, parents and teachers.See the video on our FILMS PAGE

GETTING A HEAD START WITH INTERVIEWS

A successful three days of mock interviews took place at Wilsthorpe Community School, building on the success of last year’s event. Year 11’s impressed employers with their interview skills and in the preparation they had done for their interviews. The day is designed to give young people a sense of what job interviews will be like as they progress into further education or employment. Local business men and women were generous in volunteering their time to support the days. They took on the role of interviewer, giving the young people a real as an experience as possible, asking typical questions people encounter when being interviewed. Each student was given feedback at the end of the interview with employers sharing advice on how to succeed in interviews in the future.See the video on our FILMS PAGE

Students gained valuable interview experience during one to one interviews with real employers from the local area

THE LOW DOWN ON WORKING IN SOCIAL CARE

Social Worker Louise Hancock talks to students about her job and how and why they might take that career path

Aspiring Social Workers in Year 11 at Heritage High were given the chance to meet a qualified Social Worker. Young people gave up their lunch time to meet with Louise Hancock from Derbyshire County Council Children’s Services who gave a realistic talk and insight into the world of work as a Child Protection Social Worker. Louise discussed her own journey to becoming a Social worker and why she chose this role. Louise detailed the varied work that is completed by Social Workers on a daily basis and offered an overview of the different types of job available for a qualified Social Worker. The group were able to ask questions to Louise and gain a feel of what a day in the life of a Social Worker is really like.See the video on our FILMS PAGE

CAREERS ADVICE IN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE - SEEING DOUBLE

Young people from Year 11 were given the opportunity to meet two workers form a Health and Social care background. They listened to how they got into their job, why they chose such caring professions and what it is really like to work in these roles. Emma a midwife from hospital and Nikki a Social Worker from Derbyshire County Council kindly volunteered their time to inspire a group of young people who have a desire to work in the Health and Social Care sector. Emma delivered a true to life talk on what is involved in being a midwife. Emma gave details of her day to day tasks and what to expect if you do become a Midwife. The group quizzed Emma about all aspects of her job and showed a desire to utilise the opportunity of meeting a Midwife to get as much information as possible.Nikki gave an honest insight into her own journey in becoming a Social Worker and the different roles she has worked in. She discussed how she found her current role through working in different roles within Social Work and explained the experience she gained through volunteer work and how this helped prepare her. Nikki was open about the difficulties that Social Workers face in their jobs as well as speaking about how rewarding the role can be. See the video on our FILMS PAGE

RAISING ASPIRATIONS IN 2016

Have a look at some of the great work done by Raising Aspirations in 2016 - click on the images to see the full story and video ...

After months of fundraising, team building and preparation, students from Bolsover District took part in the Namibia Bound Expedition in July...

Erewash Sound offered students taking part in Raising Aspirations the opportunity to create their own radio show...

Enterprising students from Ormiston, William Allitt and Pingle have been raising money for Treetops Hospice...

Central College Nottingham hosted some taster sessions for students to experience what life at college might be like.

The third day of the Enlighten workshops saw students put into practice some of the techniques they have learned...

Year 11 students from Wilsthorpe Community School took part in a day of Mock Interviews...

Students from four schools come together to explore new ways of thinking and be inspired to learn...